Patron Comments November and December 2013

Comment:  I found the DVD “The Sentiment of the Flesh” to be disturbing subject matter.
Response:  We're sorry to learn that "The Sentiment of the Flesh" did not meet your expectations.  TCPL prides itself on offering a diverse collection.  This allows us to meet a variety of needs and tastes, but also means that not all materials will be suitable for all patrons.  We hope you will continue to use our DVD collection and are confident that you will find an assortment of films that better meet your viewing preferences.

Comment:  Stay Beautiful!
Response:  Thank you!  We are constantly working to ensure that our facilities and collections are aesthetically and intellectually appealing!

Comment:  My young daughter and their friends don’t want to come to the library so much  because they’re "scared of the people who smoke and hang out!"  We love it here!  Thanks!
Response:  We share in your daughter's concerns and have been working cooperatively with local police, legislators, business owners and partner organizations to mediate this problem.  We hope your daughter and her friends will continue to visit and will take comfort in knowing that we our staff and security team are aware of and working toward a resolution to this problem.

Comment:  Who needs books anymore why not just fill the library up with DVD’s!
Response:  We are delighted that you enjoy our DVDs! Our goal is to provide a diverse collection in multiple formats to meet the needs of all of our patrons!

Comment:   It is annoying to be working and hearing other phones going off!
Response:  We agree that the buzz of cell phones can be a distraction, that is why we have placed "Voices Quiet, Ringers Silent" signs throughout the building.  We know that banning cell phone use is an impractical solution and would make using the Library inconvenient for many of our patrons, but we do advocate for respectful/courteous use of all electronic devices.

Comment: Oh, how I miss “Not new, but worth a view.”  Any chance of bringing it back??
Response:  We're glad you enjoyed the "Not New, But Worth a View," section!  While we no longer have a designated spot for these titles, we are still putting thematic "Not New, But Worth a View" titles on our new display units.

Comment:  Patron tried to pay fine on-line, but it tried and failed to redirect so she came in to pay.
Response:  We are sorry for the inconvenience.  As long as a fine is more than $5 it can typically be paid online.  Should you experience problems paying fines online in the future, please contact Jennifer Schlossberg, Circulation Department Head, at (607) 272-4557 extension 254.

Comment:  One of these “Service Animals” trips me up or bites me up in the library = BAD DAY!
Response:  The Library is proud to provide free and equal access to all, and like all public institutions, we have a legal responsibility to allow service dogs.  If you have concerns regarding a specific animal during a Library visit, please reach out to a member of our security team or a staff member.

Comment:  It would be nice if the art displays could stay up a little longer.  I don’t always have time to take a good look at them and, by the time I come back, they’re gone.
Response:  We couldn't agree more!  While our fantastic exhibits are often up for only a short time, the good news is that we have a constant rotation.  So when one exhibit comes down, another goes up!  Be sure to visit our Exhibit Blog at http://tcpl-exhibits.blogspot.com/ for exhibit updates and information!

Comment:  Amityville Horror would like to have ordered to read.
Response:  Thank you for your request.  "The Amityville Horror" is available to TCPL patrons through the Finger Lakes Library System.  Visit the Reference or Circulation Desk for information about requesting a copy!

Comment:  Where are all the books?
Response:  TCPL has more than 200,000 books in our physical collection and thousands of titles are available electronically through the OverDrive Digital Download Service.  If you are looking for a specific title, please browse our online catalog at http://tcpl.org or contact our Reference Desk at (607) 272-4556.

Comment:  The public library is my only internet access and I’m trying to find a job.  65 minutes a day??  I might as well stay home.
Reponse:  TCPL serves as a wonderful resource for job seekers!  From reference books to databases offering resume-writing skills, we have a number of services to help make your search easier.  While Internet  use is timed due to high demand and limited broadband access, we do offer untimed access to computers with Microsoft Office programs for resume and cover letter writing.  Best of luck with your job search!

Comment:  SKY TRAIN by Canyon Sam
Response:  Thank you for your suggestion! 

Comment:  Would love extra movies for the holidays!  Thanks!
Response:  You are in luck!  TCPL will again be offering enhanced borrowing privileges during the holidays, which will allow our patrons to borrow twice the normal limits on books, CDs and DVDs.

Comment:  You need to have more dance instruction DVDs like 2 step, swing, clogging and Ball room.
Response:  Thank you for your suggestion.  It has been forwarded to the Library staff member who orders DVDs.



















 

PATRON COMMENTS - September & October

Comment: We would suggest lengthening the borrowing time for books to four weeks to help parents remember to return before fees are assessed.
Response:  Thank you for your suggestion.  We will be reviewing this policy in the near future.

Comment: The Willard Exhibit if beautifully done. So moving, touching, human and sad.  Thank you!
Response: We are happy you enjoyed the Willard Exhibit. Thanks to our Art Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb for a beautiful display.  Thank you for your feedback.

Comment: Thank you for the no receipt button!
Response: You’re welcome.  We had this suggestion earlier this year and are delighted that we are able to accommodate this request and save on resources too.  Thanks to our wonderful patrons for bringing this to our attention.

Comment: Please do a separate display or shelf of the newest picture books in Youth Services.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion which has been shared with the Youth Services Librarian.

Comment: Catalog DVD by genre, comedy or horror, etc.  Thank you
Response: The DVD collection is a browsing collection and they are roughly in alphabetical order.  e are in the process of looking at our services and this suggestion can be addressed at that time. 
Bravo!  You do such a wonderful thing thank you. Thank you!

Comment: Danke schon!  Thanks so much for consistently expanding the German Children book selection! It’s a great tool while raising our boys bilingually.
Response: You’re welcome we are pleased to offer the learning tools for the community’s educational needs.  Thanks for your feedback.

Comment: Usually the library is a peaceful place of learning, research, stimulating information etc.  For the past couple of weeks we have been traumatized by the relentless, constant beeping piercing one’s brain in the main big library room.  It is beyond comprehension that this continues and you do nothing? 
Response: We are sorry you had this experience.  We are aware that the beeping is distracting to many patrons and staff and are working with facilities to resolve the problem.  Facilities needed additional parts to correct the problem.  The library is scheduled for repair the second week in October.   We hope you will continue to find TCPL the peaceful place of learning that we strive to make available for our amazing community.

Comment: Take the benches out so the drug dealers and low lifes will have nowhere to camp out. 
Response: Thank you for your suggestion.  We are looking at all of our options and working with local agencies and the Ithaca City Police Department on this issue.
 

PATRON COMMENTS - August

Comment: The noise and displays of ignorance outside the library near the windows by the magazines is becoming greater every day it seems.  Can’t the bike racks be relocated to another section (near parking garage) and the benches removed.
Response: Thank you We are aware of the groups gathering outside the library.  We have spoken with facilities and have asked them to remove the benches.  Our security guards are monitoring the activities and telling those with behavior issues to leave. We are also working with community organizations to provide services for some of these individuals.

Comment: Thanks for selling the head phones again that I asked for I just bought a pair 
Response: You’re welcome.  Thank you for bringing to our attention that we had sold out.  We were happy to reorder.

Comment: Please be sure the phone message accurately states when the library is open.  I drove 17 miles for nothing on Sunday the machine stated “We are busy helping a patron and can’t come to the phone.  This made me think you were open.  I was not only disappointed but gas cost more than I can afford now.  Thank you! 
Response: Thank you for your comments.  We have checked all the messages on our phones and have corrected this message to more accurately reflect our Sunday hours.  Please also know that our hours open and days closed are posted on our website at tcpl.org
 
Comment:  I rate TCPL a 10 because it has really good books.  And you are able to check out e readers. 
Response: Thank you!! Yes, eReaders may be checked out at the circulation desk at the front of the library for three weeks.

Comment: To T.C.P.L. the building is very pleasing to the eye. 
Response: Thank you.

Comment: More DVDs!  I live far away and can’t come often.  Thanks! 
Response: Currently 5 DVDs may be checked out for one week.  We will review this policy.

Comment: I am looking for a daytime book club.  Are there any here?  Thanks
Response:  The library hosts book discussions for the community read and we have an on-going Mother/Daughter book group.  Most book groups in this community are organized by friends or neighborhoods groups. At times the bookstores also have reading groups.  Thank you for the suggestion.

Comment: It would be great if books could be on loan for 4 weeks!  Thanks! 
Response: Thank you for suggestion.  We will review this policy.

Comment: I think you should brightly label the movies on the bottom with a color that indicates they are new ones.  Help us who have watched everything. 
Response: Thank you for your suggestion.  We do post new titles in the DVD section.  The list of new titles is also available in our online catalog in the left hand frame, from our website tcpl.org under “We Suggest”  and you may sign up for the list of new titles to be sent to your email from http://library.booksite.com/6631/signup/?list=NLSGN

Comment: Hi, I’d like to request you carry the book “Towards Collective Liberation Anti-Racist Organizing Feminist Praxis, and Movement Building Strategy” by Chris Crass.  It is essential reading for progressive interested in principled anti-racist Work, and I think many in the Ithaca Community would take interest in I benefited from reading this book.  Please consider stocking in on our shelves!  Thank you so much. 
Response: Purchase suggestions for books or AV may be submitted at any public service desk in the library.  These suggestions are passed directly to the librarians selecting the materials.  In addition suggestions may be submitted from our http://tcpl.org/we-suggest/request.php or from our online catalog using the link in the left hand frame.

Comment: I am sad our librarian, Stephen Salino, is leaving.  He is such a nice young man. 
Response: We, too, are sad that Stephen is leaving.  He has been  an enormous help this summer and we have enjoyed working with him.